Marking 30 years to Gimmel Tammuz, many kovtzei he’aros were printed by Yeshivos worldwide with articles from the respective Rabbanim, Bachurim, Anash, accumulating over 2,500 printed pages of chidushei Torah. Now available online.
We All Have Double Standards
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: When it comes to learning Torah or engaging in certain challenging matters of Yiddishkeit, we sometimes justify ourselves by saying, “I don’t have the brains/time/energy for such difficult subjects,” or, “It’s totally out of character for me to get involved.” Justifications indeed. Until we prove ourselves wrong.
‘The World is Deteriorating, He Will Be Very Successful’
When Reb Shlomo Zalman, the Rebbe of Chabad-Kopust, heard that bochurim in Tomchei Temimim learn four hours of Chassidus daily, he was surprised. But later he admitted that the Rebbe Rashab was right, “The world is deteriorating by the hour, and he will be very successful.”
‘Schneerson! We Have Guests’: How the Arrest Apartment Returned to Chabad
After close to 100 years that the Frierdiker Rebbe‘s Leningrad apartment lay in foreign hands, Julien Cohen, researched government archival files and diaries of chassidim to pinpoint and purchase the apartment where the Frierdiker Rebbe lived, was arrested, and returned to when he was liberated.
‘Global Initiatives’ Make Us Feel Like We’re Changing the World
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: “You can change the whole world,” can lead us to think that our focus in life should be global initiatives. “Don’t concern yourselves with the entire world!” the Rebbe once screamed. A Yid’s responsibility is to follow what Hashem says, and that’s the way to make a true global difference.
Why a Chossid Should Hang in the Rebbe’s Window Display
Not a common jokester as some imagine, Reb Shmuel Munkes was one of the towering chassidim of the Alter Rebbe who often used jest to communicate profound ideas. Suspending himself in front of the Rebbe’s home, he taught an important lesson.
The Rebbe’s Glasses are Now Available
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: Give a man an insight and you teach him for a day. Give a man perspective and you teach him for a lifetime. One of the major gifts from the Rebbe to the world is not only his own vision but the ability for us to have Rebbe-vision
‘If So, I Would Rather Stay In Prison!’
After suffering in prison for over a year for not sending his children to secular schools, Reb Yisroel Nevler was released. But when he saw his daughter heading for the door with a knapsack, he threatened to go back there.
She Would Not Get Upset or Complain
An outstanding chassidishe woman held in high esteem by the Tzemach Tzedek and Rebbetzin Rivkah‘s grandmother, Rebbetzin Leah Golda was was always calm and collected, never getting angry over wrongdoing or complaining when she suffered.
They Learned 18 Hours a Day and Played Chess as a Break
A talmid of Reb Nechemia of Dubrovna and an incredible gaon, Reb Yosef Tumarkin related how they would learn 18 hours a day, and between sugyos of gemara they played some chess, so they wouldn’t confuse the two sugyos.
GPS Won’t Tell You Where to Go
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: Google and Waze are up to date with road construction, closures and traffic, but they’ll always be limited by finite intelligence. They can get us where we want to go, but they can’t possibly know if it’s good for us to be there.
He Didn’t Realize That the Czar was Deposed
Reb Dovid Kievman “Horodoker” was known amongst chassidim for being completely absorbed in Torah and oblivious to his surroundings, and Reb Itche Masmid said he wasn’t as mufshat as Reb Dovid…
The Rising Star of Chabad in Russia
Born to the esteemed chossid Radatz, Reb Mendel Chein was a gaon in Torah and an eloquent orator who served as a spokesperson for the Rebbe Rashab and Reb Chaim Brisker at the 1910 Rabbinic Conference.
‘One More Day of Tefillin…’
Reb Zalman Dovid Amliner was an incredible oved and would practice intense iskafya. When his end was near he regretted it, since one day of tefillin was worth even more. But Chassidim had something to say about that.
Wouldn’t You Prefer to Shoot a Missile?
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: Do you ever get the feeling that you’d like to send a missile and end the war in Eretz Yisroel? One of the messages of the bow and arrow on Lag B’Omer is that the closer we pull the bowstring towards ourselves, the farther away the arrow will reach.
It Smelled Like Moshiach In His Home
A leading talmid of the Baal Shem Tov and Mezritcher Maggid, Reb Mendel Horodoker was the Alter Rebbe‘s Rebbe until he moved to Eretz Yisroel. Yet, he could not tell inside his house if Moshiach had arrived.
They Carried Him Outside While He Was Davening
The son of Rebbetzin Fraida, the Alter Rebbe‘s daughter, Reb Ahron of Krementchug married Rebbetzin Rivkah‘s mother after her first husband passed away. Once, a fire broke out while he davened, and they carried him outside completely oblivious to what had happened.
A Din Torah by the Rebbe Rashab’s Door
Though Reb Zalman Havlin offered to pay up the Horoditch yeshiva’s debt, the Frierdiker Rebbe tricked him into a din Torah by the Rebbe Rashab. Though he was exonerated, he paid it with shadchonus gelt he received.
Secular Morals Have Gone Bankrupt, Again
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: In recent weeks, we witnessed once again the lack of morals, ethics, and even basic civility from both students and leaders at prestigious universities. Pirkei Avos reminds us at the start that Torah is the only source for good, pure, and true guidance.
He Was Teaching Torah Under the Floor
When young Shula came looking for her father, Reb Yitzchok Elchonon Shagalov, the chossid who opened the door began moving a large table in the center of the room. He then bent down and removed three planks of wood from the floor.